Hearing Loss & Dementia Prevention: What You Can Do to Reduce Your Risk

– Written by Jane Sandwood –

According to claims from the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, it is suggested that if hearing loss is left untreated, it can make those more vulnerable to dementia after years of straining to hear.

Research produced by the University of Auckland says that over 900,000 New Zealanders who experience hearing loss have a higher risk of developing dementia later on in life. Those with midlife hearing loss are shown to be 9% at a higher risk of developing Dementia. While the condition is diagnosed later in life, the brain usually starts to develop changes years beforehand. This means making the right decisions will improve the quality of life for those with dementia, and perhaps transform the future of society.

While you may have been told that all you can do is exercise, eat right, and hope for the best, it seems there’s more you can do to than just waiting for the next cure. Based on the latest research, here are some top tips to reduce the risk by adopting several lifestyle changes.

Understand the Factors that Contribute to Dementia
As we age, developing Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia is one of the greatest concerns many of us have. Research from the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference claims that nearly 131 million will be living with dementia by 2050. Currently, there are an estimated 47 million people living with the condition.

Today, some of the most common risk factors for dementia include poor habits such as smoking, social isolation, high blood pressure, obesity, failing to complete secondary education, failing to seek treatment for conditions such as depression, physical inactivity, and type 2 Diabetes.

Stay Physically Active
Following regular exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, five times a week will be enough to keep your heart rate pumping and reduce the risk of various conditions. In fact, you can reduce the risk of dementia by 50% with exercise alone. Regular exercise for middle age and older adults will benefit from healthy blood flow, strong mental health, and cardio health, even without losing weight.

Exercise the BrainGive your brain a daily workout. You can read a new book, do puzzles, enjoy cross words or word searches, play cards, or simply learn something new. If you can keep your mind active, you will be less likely to develop the risk of dementia.

Other Activities to Prevent Dementia includes:

Drinking coffee

Dancing

Sauna bathing

Green Room Exercise

Taking vitamins B6 and E

Drinking Green Tea

Drinking one daily glass of wine

Living stress-free

Furthermore, aim to always stay in control of your health by following regular health checkups with your doctor. As we get older, the need to check for blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight is important, as even the slightest changes will lead to higher risks of conditions, especially dementia. If you feel that something is wrong, be sure to schedule an appointment and seek consultation immediately.